UBL has concluded its National Innovation Hackathon 2026 with a grand finale that brought together technology, ideas and emerging talent from across Pakistan. The initiative attracted more than 1,280 registrations, with 25 finalist teams advancing to the final stage of the competition. The hackathon culminated in an intensive 72-hour national innovation challenge focused on developing technology-driven solutions for real-world challenges facing the banking sector.
The competition provided participants with a platform to develop solutions aimed at shaping the future of banking through technologies including artificial intelligence, FinTech and open banking. Teams were challenged to translate their ideas into practical solutions, bringing together technical expertise and innovation to address challenges within the financial services ecosystem.
Payssenger emerged as the winner of the hackathon and received a prize of Rs. 2.5 million, while UBL FraudShield AI secured the runner-up position with a prize of Rs. 1.5 million. Vision X, Finclude and CreditBridge AI were also recognised for their innovative solutions developed during the competition.
With a total prize pool of Rs. 5 million, the hackathon provided financial recognition alongside an opportunity for participants to showcase their capabilities to the banking and technology sectors. The event brought together finalist teams and participants from across Pakistan, highlighting the growing interest in developing technology-led solutions for financial services.
UBL said the initiative reflects its commitment to nurturing innovation and emerging talent while contributing to the development of Pakistan’s FinTech ecosystem. The conclusion of the National Innovation Hackathon 2026 marks another step in the bank’s innovation journey, with AI, digital transformation and open banking emerging as key areas of focus for the future of banking.
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